Adjustable air inlet

ABSTRACT

A louver is positioned in front of the air inlet opening by one or more support brackets and held upright at various deflecting angles of inclination to the opening by a cable-pulley arrangement. The lower margin of the louver is selectively positioned in one of a plurality of laterally spaced openings in the bracket to vary the size of the down-wash opening while the lateral flow opening and the deflection angle of the louver is selected by the cable-pulley arrangement.

United States Patent 1191 Van Huis May 7, 19741 ADJUSTABLE AIR INLET 2,754,747 7/1956 Bertling 98/37 x [75] Inventor: Robert L. Van Huis, Zeeland, Mich. P E w lt E w rtmary xammer- 1 1am ayner [73] Ass1gnee; U.S. Industries, Inc., New Yo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Henevald, Huizenga & Cooper 9 [22] Filed: Nov. 22, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 308,692 {571 7 ABSTRACT A louver is positioned in front of the air inlet opening 52 us. (:1. 98/41 R 137/612 by Support brackets and held upright at [51] Int. Cl Fi4f 13/08 various deflecting angles of inclination to the opening [58] Field of Search n 98/40 D 41 R 40 C by a cable-pulley arrangement. The lower margin of 2 the louver is selectively positioned in one of a plurality of laterally spaced openings in the bracket to vary the [56] References Cited size of the, down-wash opening while the lateral flow UNITED STATES PATENTS opening and the deflection angle of the louver is selected by the cable-pulley arrangement. 3,194,145 7/1965 Robertson, Jr 98/41 R 2,771,020 11 ll956 Shanahan 98/37 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures RATENIEUMM 7 1974 3' 1 ADJUSTABLE AIR INLET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION like are actuated. in response to a temperature sensing apparatus which turn the fans on when a preselected temperature is reached. The exhausted air is replaced through various inlet arrangements generally positioned along the upper margin of the poultry house so that the fresh air flowing in is drawn downwardly over the poultry confined therein for exhaust beneath or along the lower margin of the building.

A principal disadvantage with present arrangements is the lack of a simple and yet meaningful control over the air inlet mechanism. At each level or rate of exhaust, there is a corresponding optimum inlet opening to provide the proper balance for replacement air. If the opening is larger than required, insufficient mixing is achieved. That is, the movement of the incoming air will be insufficient to reach the innermost and lowermost extremities of the building therefore causingan overcooling with respect to the poultry near the inlet ducts and insufficient cooling or ventilation with respect to poultry removed from the inlet ducts. On the other hand, if the inlet opening is too small, the pressure differential across the inlet opening caused by the exhaust fans result in the inlet air flowing at a higher velocity than is desired. Thus, the distribution of fresh air into the poultry house is many times uneven and therefore results in the development of stagnant areas which are never properly ventilated.

Uneven distribution of fresh air results in an inconsistent production in growth rate in poultry whether they be layers or broilers. Of equal importance, the inefficiencies resulting from the inaccuracy provided by present proposals has in many instances required utilization of more and heavier duty exhaust fans than would be required if the replacement air were properly and evenly distributed. This results in higher overall costs in the system which costs are not negligible. Thus, there is a need in this art for a ventilation system which provides an easier and simple means which more efficiently distributes and mixes the fresh air flowing through the air inlet to prevent uneven distribution of the fresh air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The ventilation of poultry houses in general is achieved by elevating the poultry above'the floor of the building and positioning exhaust fans beneath the poultry with the air inlet ductspositioned above the poultry. This type of systemis designed to withdraw stale air below the poultry where dung discharge devices are usually arranged while at the same time bringing fresh replacement air from above.

In accordance with the invention, a louver is positioned adjustably in association with the air inlet duct between a first position wherein the louver generally blocks the flow of air through said inlet duct and a second position wherein air flow through said inlet duct is permitted. The louver is supported along the lower margin at selected lateral positions by a bracket means permitting selection of the amount of down-wash opening. The louver pivots about the bracketmeans at various inclination angles selected by a cable-pulley arrangement which determines the lateral cross flow opening.

One significant advantage of the invention is a relatively simple structure which permits quick and easy adjustment simultaneously of both the down-wash and cross flow openings. At the same time, the deflection angle can be selected to meet the exhaust demand 50 that the flow distribution, is even. By providing a deflection louver which provides both cross and down-wash flow, more effective distribution and mixing of the fresh ventilating air is provided. By matching the cross section of either down-wash or cross flow opening with the exhaust demand complete and even distribution of the incoming air can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation view in cross section of a poultry house utilizing a control and adjust- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, building 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is specifically designed for raising poultry from their first day of existence until they are mature layers or broilers. Normally this period runs approximately 27 weeks. A typical building of this type generally extends yards in length and is approximately 60 feet wide. A particular object of the invention is to provide a ventilation system which provides an even mixture and distribution of fresh air into and throughout the building. Although the invention is described with particular reference to a poultryhouse, it will be appreciated that the ventilation system described can be utilized in various different environments.

In a poultry house of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, the poultry are housed in a plurality of cages on a support frame elevated above the floor of the building. The

cages are generally comprised of woven wire which permits the free fiow of air into and out of each cage. The floor of the building acts as a dung collection area for the poultry droppings which fall through the cage bottoms. Stagnant air'is removed by one or more exhaust fans positioned approximately at ground level on the outside of the building. An outlet duct through the walls draws the stagnant air from beneath the poultry cages. The exhaust fans are generally arranged in series along the building and each individual fan may be operated by a separate motor which is actuated by a temp erature sensing mechanism positioned within the building. Each individual fan is responsivev to an individual sensing mechanism so that when a preselected temperaturelevel is reached at each particular sensing station, each fan begins operating. The foregoing description is of a general nature and generally well known in the art and hence not shown or described in detail.

Building in FIG. 1 is shown having an inclined roof 12 with an overhang l4 and sidewall 16. The inclination of roof 12 facilitates water drainage and includes also a layer of insulation 18. The walls 16 also include insulation as shown at 20. The removal of air within building 10 by the exhaust fans reduces the pressure within the building relative to the ambient pressure outside and causes the'exhausted air to be replaced with fresh air which flows through appropriate ducts provided between the inside and outside of the building.

ln the building illustrated in FIG. 1, an air inlet duct 22 is comprised, of an opening 24 extending continuously the length of each sidewall along the underside of overhang 14. A screen 26 filters the flow of outside air into the duct while preventing objects such as birds or other smaller animals or insects from gaining access to power source (not shown) which mechanically or auto y matically adjusts the angle of inclination.

Preferably, some type of valve plate (not shown) is movable across opening 28 between a fully closed position wherein flow through opening 28 is preventedto a fully open positionwherein flow through opening 28 is permitted across its entire width. The position of this valve plate is generally selected in response to the demand created by the exhaust fans so that a general constant velocity of flow through opening 28 is achieved regardless of the particular volume flowing therethrough. lnaccordance with the deflector means and support of the invention to be described hereinafter, this velocity of flow when directed properly provides complete penetration of fresh air and propermixing throughout the entire building.

Positioned beneath opening 28 and supported by a bracket 38 is a louver 40 for deflecting the inlet air flow through opening 28. It has been found that without some type of deflection means; ventilation of the build! ing is uneven and random resulting in over cooled portions and stagnant portions which are not cooled. The

poultry closest to the air inlet tend to have an over supply of fresh air while the poultry furthest removed therefrom receive little if any ventilation. Louver 40 extends the entire length of the building although it at the same time permitting rotation relative thereto so that the deflection angle a can be varied to meet the particular needs directing the flow into the building. The angle of inclination is selected by a cable 42 secured to the upper end of louver 40. Cable 42 in association witha pulley 44 ispulled or released manually or by conventional means interconnected to a Louver 40 is pivptally supported by brackets 38 to provide ventilating'flo'w into building 10 in two essential directions. The first direction is illustrated by arrow 46 which flow is generally directed in a horizontal or cross fashion toward the center of the building so that the ventilating air resulting therefrom is directed evenly over the poultry confined therebeneath. The flow past the upper margin 48 of louver 40 passes through a subopening 50 bounded by the upper margin 48 of louver 40 and ceiling 30. The cross-sectional area of this opening can be varied in accordance with the adjustment of cable 42. Likewise, the deflection angle of the air passing through sub-opening 50 is selected in part by the operation of cable 42.

Flow through opening 28 is also directed generally vertically downward in a direction illustrated by arrow 52 to provide down-wash ventilation of the poultry therebeneath. The flow in this case is around the lower margin 54 of louver 40 through a-second sub-opening 56 defined by lower margin 54 and wall 16. The crosssectional area of sub-opening 56 is selected by movement of the lower margin 54 of louver 40 in a'lateral direction provided by the unique mounting arrangement of louver 40 relative to bracket-38.

Bracket 38 is characterized in the preferred form by a general overall L-shape with-the shorter leg portion 58 being used to anchor the bracket to wall-l6. The longer legportio'n 60 includes a plurality of laterally spaced openings 62, 62a and 62b. Connected to the tion is designed to selectively fit within one of the openings 62, 62a, 62b in order to select the desired magnitude of opening 56. The two portions 66 and 70 of tongue 64 are inclined relative to each other so that the overall general direction of tongue portion 70 is vertical. The width of openings 62, 62a and 62b exceed that of tongue 64 so that the tongue and louver can pivot relative to the bracket.

OPERATION Having described thestructural details of my invent-' ion, the overall operation should be obvious. Upon a given exhaust demand, air flow is developed through inlet duct 22 for entry into building lit-through opening 28. The size of opening 28 is selected in accordance with conventional teachings which preferably depend on the amount of demand so that there is a general constant velocity of the air flowing into building 10. in accordance with the invention, the flow of air into the building is deflected by louver 40 in a general horizontal direction past the upper margin 48 of louver 40 to develop a cross flow designed to permeate the inner ex- I tremeties of the building. At the same time, a portion of the inlet flow is directed through a second subopening 56 past the lower margin 54 of louver 40 to develop down-wash flow over the poultry confined within building 10. The magnitude of the cross section of each I sub-opening 50 and 56 is selected in the first case by positioning the upper margin 48 relative to ceiling 30 through the movement of cable 42 while the cross sectional magnitude of sub-opening 56 is selected by the particular opening 62, 62a, 62b in which the lower margin 54 of louver 40 is seated. The angle of inclination of louver 40 is selected primarily by the positioning of the louver through cable 42 although it is in part determined by the particular opening in which the lower margin of louver 40 is seated. Thus, the bracket and cable-pulley arrangement cooperate together.

Although it has been suggested that a valve plate (not shown) ,may be utilized to vary the effective opening 28, it should be appreciated that this function could be replaced by louver 40. In other words, louver 40 could easily be suspended in accordance with the teaching of the invention so that it is movable between two extreme positions wherein the entire flow through inlet opening 28 ceases at the position wherein the lower margin 54 of louver 40 is in abutment or close approximation thereto with wall 16 and the upper margin is in abutting engagement with ceiling 30. A second position would provide full volume flow through opening 28 when louver 40 is released so that it is suspended in an overall horizontal direction regardless of the particular opening in bracket 38 in which it is seated. In this latter position, louver 40 may be physically prevented from further downward deflection by a stop such as a chain (not shown) anchored to the ceiling and secured to the lower or inner surface of louver 40.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 2, the invention described is shown utilized in a somewhat different arrangement regarding inlet duct. Since the overall operation and arrangement is for the most part identical to that of the embodiment described in FIG. I, like numerals are utilized for like parts with the suffix a used to illustrate corresponding but modified elements. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inlet duct 22a is comprised of an opening 28a along the upper margin of wall 16a. Thus, the initial direction of flow through inlet opening 280 as depicted by arrows 32a is in a horizontal direction rather than vertical as shown in FIG. 1. The cross flow and down-wash flow however, is identical to that shown in FIG. 1 as is the adjustment and control of the cross flow opening 50 and down-wash opening 56. As a general rule, however, the relative magnitude of these two openings in the embodiment of FIG. 2 will vary from that of FIG. 1 since the initial thrust of the air flowing into the building is in different directions. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the overall magnitude of the down-wash opening 56 will generally be significantly less than that of the cross flow opening 50 whereas in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the opposite will tend to occur.

Although but two embodiments have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in this art that the details of construction of this particular embodiment may be modified in a great many ways without departing from the unique concepts presented. It is therefore intended that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims rather than by particular details of construction shown, except as specifically stated in the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation air inlet opening in a building; a louver positionable within the building in front of and in cooperative association with said inlet opening, said louver being movable between a first position wherein said louver generally blocks the flow of air through said opening, a second position wherein unrestricted air flow is permitted through said opening into the building, and intermediate positions between said first and second positions wherein flow through said opening is partially restricted and deflected above or below said louver in arbitrary directions into said building; first support means within the building for pivotally anchoring the lower margin of said louver at selected lateral positions from said opening to select the size of the down-wash opening; and second support means within the building for positioning the upper margin of said louver at selected lateral positions from said opening and for positioning said louver in one of said positions at selected angles of inclination relative to said inlet opening.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first support means includes a support element anchored to a sidewall of said building beneath said opening, the lower margin of said louver being pivotally mounted to said support element at selected lateral distances from said wall whereby said louver with said opening and wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said buildmg. I

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air inlet opening is located along the upper margin of said building and extends the entire length thereof, said louver providing a means for simultaneously directing flow into said building in a general horizontal and vertical flow pattern/ 4. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation air inlet opening in a building; a louver positionable in cooperative association with said inlet opening and movable between a first position wherein said louver generally blocks the flow of air through said opening, a second position wherein unrestricted air flow is permitted through said opening into the building, and intermediate positions between said first and second positions wherein flow through said opening is partially restricted and deflected above or below said louver in arbitrary directions into said building; first support means for pivotally anchoring the lower margin of said louver at selected lateral positions to select the size of the down-wash opening, said first support means including a support element anchored to a sidewall of said building beneath said opening, the lower margin of said louver being pivotally mounted to said support element at selected lateral distances from said wall whereby said louver with said opening and wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building; and second support means for positioning said louver in one of said positions at selected angles of inclination relative to said inlet opening, said louverbeing suspended in an upright position above said support element at various angles of inclination by a cable-pulley means movable to position the upper margin of said louver at selected distances from the ceiling of said building whereby said louver with said opening and ceiling defines a second adjustable flow passageway for deflecting the flow of air laterally into the building.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cable-pulley means includes at least one pulley anchored above said louver and a cable strung through said pulley and anchored to said louver near the upper margin thereof.

6. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building utilized for raising livestock comprising, in combination: means. defining a ventilation inlet opening positioned above the livestock and extending the length of said building; a louver positioned within the building adjacent said inlet opening and extending the same length therewith; first means for pivotally supporting said louver along its lower margin adjacent the lower marginof said inlet opening at selected lateral spacings from the wall of said building whereby the spacing of the lower margin of said louver from said wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building, said first means including at least one support bracket anchored at one end to the wall of said building, said bracket extending horizontally into said building and including means defining a plurality of horizontally spaced openings, said louver including at least one tongue portion extending from the lower margin thereof, said tongue portion being dimensionally compatible with said openings to permit insertion and removal thereof from said spaced openings to preselect the cross-sectional opening of said first passageway; and second means for positioning the upper margin of said louver at selected vertical spacings from the ceiling of said building whereby the selected spacing of said upper margin from said ceiling defines a second adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air laterally into the building, said second means also positioning said louver at selected angles of inclination with respect to said inlet opening to deflect the air flowing through said inlet opening at selected ratios toward one or both of said first and second flow passageways.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said second means is comprised of a cable anchored at one end along the upper margin of said louver and a pulley anchored to the ceiling of said building, said cable being movable around said pulley to pivotally move said louver to select the angle of inclination with respect to said inlet opening and preselect the cross sectional opening of said second passageway.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first means includes a plurality of brackets spaced longitudinally along the wall of said building and said louver includes a similar plurality of tongue portions correspondingly spaced along the lower margin of said louver for cooperative engagement with said brackets.

9. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation air inlet opening in a building; louver positionable in cooperative association with said inlet opening and movable between a first position wherein said louver generally blocks the flow of air through said opening, a second position wherein unrestricted air flow is permitted through said opening into the build ing, and intermediate positions between said first and second positions wherein flow through said opening is partially restricted and deflected above or below said louver in arbitrary directions into said building; a bracket anchored to a sidewall of said building beneath said opening, and extending laterally inward from the sidewall, said bracket including means defining a plurality of laterally spaced openings, said louver including means extending from the lower margin of said louver compatible with said openings to permit insertion thereof into said openings, said bracket pivotally anchoring the lower margin of said louver at selected lateral positions from said wall whereby said louver with said opening and wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building; and second support means for positioning said louver in one of said positions at selected angles of inclination relative to said inlet opening. 

1. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation air inlet opening in a building; a louver positionable within the building in front of and in cooperative association with said inlet opening, said louver being movable between a first position wherein said louver generally blocks the flow of air through said opening, a second position wherein unrestricted air flow is permitted through said opening into the building, and intermediate positions between said first and second positions wherein flow through said opening is partially restricted and deflected above or below said louver in arbitrary directions into said building; first support means within the building for pivotally anchoring the lower margin of said louver at selected lateral positions from said opening to select the size of the down-wash opening; and second support means within the building for positioning the upper margin of said louver at selected lateral positions from said opening and for positioning said louver in one of said positions at selected angles of inclination relative to said inlet opening.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first support means includes a support element anchored to a sidewall of said building beneath said opening, the lower margin of said louver being pivotally mounted to said support element at selected lateral distances from said wall whereby said louver with said opening and wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air inlet opening is located along the upper margin of said building and extends the entire length thereof, said louver providing a means for simultaneously directing flow into said building in a general horizontal and vertical flow pattern.
 4. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation air inlet opening in a building; a louver positionable in cooperative association witH said inlet opening and movable between a first position wherein said louver generally blocks the flow of air through said opening, a second position wherein unrestricted air flow is permitted through said opening into the building, and intermediate positions between said first and second positions wherein flow through said opening is partially restricted and deflected above or below said louver in arbitrary directions into said building; first support means for pivotally anchoring the lower margin of said louver at selected lateral positions to select the size of the down-wash opening, said first support means including a support element anchored to a sidewall of said building beneath said opening, the lower margin of said louver being pivotally mounted to said support element at selected lateral distances from said wall whereby said louver with said opening and wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building; and second support means for positioning said louver in one of said positions at selected angles of inclination relative to said inlet opening, said louver being suspended in an upright position above said support element at various angles of inclination by a cable-pulley means movable to position the upper margin of said louver at selected distances from the ceiling of said building whereby said louver with said opening and ceiling defines a second adjustable flow passageway for deflecting the flow of air laterally into the building.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cable-pulley means includes at least one pulley anchored above said louver and a cable strung through said pulley and anchored to said louver near the upper margin thereof.
 6. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building utilized for raising livestock comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation inlet opening positioned above the livestock and extending the length of said building; a louver positioned within the building adjacent said inlet opening and extending the same length therewith; first means for pivotally supporting said louver along its lower margin adjacent the lower margin of said inlet opening at selected lateral spacings from the wall of said building whereby the spacing of the lower margin of said louver from said wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building, said first means including at least one support bracket anchored at one end to the wall of said building, said bracket extending horizontally into said building and including means defining a plurality of horizontally spaced openings, said louver including at least one tongue portion extending from the lower margin thereof, said tongue portion being dimensionally compatible with said openings to permit insertion and removal thereof from said spaced openings to preselect the cross-sectional opening of said first passageway; and second means for positioning the upper margin of said louver at selected vertical spacings from the ceiling of said building whereby the selected spacing of said upper margin from said ceiling defines a second adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air laterally into the building, said second means also positioning said louver at selected angles of inclination with respect to said inlet opening to deflect the air flowing through said inlet opening at selected ratios toward one or both of said first and second flow passageways.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said second means is comprised of a cable anchored at one end along the upper margin of said louver and a pulley anchored to the ceiling of said building, said cable being movable around said pulley to pivotally move said louver to select the angle of inclination with respect to said inlet opening and preselect the cross sectional opening of said second passageway.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first means includes a plurality of brackets spaced lOngitudinally along the wall of said building and said louver includes a similar plurality of tongue portions correspondingly spaced along the lower margin of said louver for cooperative engagement with said brackets.
 9. Apparatus for controlling the flow of air into a building comprising, in combination: means defining a ventilation air inlet opening in a building; louver positionable in cooperative association with said inlet opening and movable between a first position wherein said louver generally blocks the flow of air through said opening, a second position wherein unrestricted air flow is permitted through said opening into the building, and intermediate positions between said first and second positions wherein flow through said opening is partially restricted and deflected above or below said louver in arbitrary directions into said building; a bracket anchored to a sidewall of said building beneath said opening, and extending laterally inward from the sidewall, said bracket including means defining a plurality of laterally spaced openings, said louver including means extending from the lower margin of said louver compatible with said openings to permit insertion thereof into said openings, said bracket pivotally anchoring the lower margin of said louver at selected lateral positions from said wall whereby said louver with said opening and wall defines a first adjustable flow passageway for directing the flow of air down into said building; and second support means for positioning said louver in one of said positions at selected angles of inclination relative to said inlet opening. 